The Zimbabwe Warriors’ upcoming AFCON qualifier against Namibia will be played in an empty stadium due to the Namibian authorities’ inability to finance match-day operations. This follows both nations being barred from hosting matches at their home stadiums. The decision to hold the match without fans has spurred concerns regarding the attempt to minimize support for Zimbabwe, who have a significant fan presence in South Africa.
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Warriors are set to compete against Namibia in one of their two 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifying matches, scheduled for Thursday at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, this match is to be held without spectators. The Namibian authorities indicated on Monday that they lack the necessary funds to cover the expenses associated with accommodating paying fans at the stadium. This announcement comes just ahead of the sequential matches between the two neighboring countries, the first taking place on Thursday and a return match scheduled for the following Monday. Both Namibia and Zimbabwe are currently prohibited from hosting international football matches at their respective home venues; Namibia’s Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek has been deemed unfit for such events by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), prompting both teams to select Orlando Stadium for their encounter. In a statement shared on X, Mike Madoda, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), confirmed that the Namibian request necessitates the match to be conducted without an audience. “Please note that the Warriors’ Thursday game vs Namibia will be played behind closed doors at Namibia’s behest. A request has been made for all fans not to make their way to Orlando Stadium,” Madoda stated. Conversely, the upcoming match hosted by Zimbabwe will permit all paying fans to attend. The choice to restrict attendance in Johannesburg has raised concerns within Zimbabwean football circles, with some interpreting it as an attempt by the Namibian federation to limit the significant number of Zimbabwean supporters who are expected to arrive in Johannesburg. There is a notably large Zimbabwean migrant population residing in South Africa, often resulting in their fans outnumbering those of their opponents, except for South Africa. ZIFA has announced that tickets for the return match in Zimbabwe will be priced at R50 for general admission.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a prestigious football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), featuring national teams from across Africa. The qualifications for the tournament are critical for teams seeking to secure their places in the competition. Recent restrictions placed on international matches due to facility conditions have led to neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Namibia facing significant logistical challenges in staging such matches. Their current predicament—forced to play important games without fans—highlights the financial and infrastructural struggles inherent in regional football governance.
In summary, the Zimbabwe Warriors will face Namibia in a crucial AFCON qualifier in an empty stadium due to financial constraints faced by Namibian authorities, highlighting the hardships of hosting international matches under current regulations. While Zimbabweans will have an opportunity to attend the subsequent match, the closed-door policy in Johannesburg raises critical discussions regarding fan engagement and logistical challenges in regional football.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
